Museums and galleries in Santiago

Museums and galleries in Santiago

1. SeeWest and South

   Basílica Santuario Nacional de Maipú (Templo Votivo)

   Constructed on the orders of Chilean independence leader Bernardo O'Higgins, as he wanted to thank Virgin Mary for the final victory over the Spanish forces in the plains nearby. The best time to visit is the first Sunday after Easter when the Feast of Quasimodo takes place. The basilica complex also includes a museum dedicated to the first Chilean government including documents, clothing, paintings and vehicles.

2. SeeCentral

   Biblioteca Nacional de Chile

   The national library was built in the early 20th century near Cerro Santa Lucía. Here you can find archives of all Chilean newspapers and some foreign ones, map and photo archives and an exhibition hall.

3. SeeCentral

   Casa Colorada

   This colonial building functioned as the seat of the first Chilean leader after independence. It was closed for 14 years due to earthquake damage but has opened once again in 2024. It holds a museum of Santiago's history.

   Free

4. SeeBellavista and North

   Cementerio General de Santiago

   About two million Chileans rest in peace at the country's largest and oldest cemetery, including many important historical figures like Manuel Rodriguez, Violeta Parra, Andres Bello, Maria Luisa Bombal and most presidents of Chile. It's also an open air museum of burial mausoleums in Egyptian, Greek, Gothic, Moorish and almost any other thinkable styles.

5. SeeSanhattan and East

   Centro Artesanal Los Dominicos

   Designed to resemble a traditional Chilean town, its narrow dirt streets and adobe houses with thatched roofs host workshops where artisans create and sell their crafts directly to visitors. The center features cultural events, live performances, and local cuisine. It also houses the Las Condes Wax Museum. Declared a National Monument in 1983, the site preserves the colonial history of the area.

   Open now · closes 7 pm·Free

6. DoWest and South

   Centro Cultural Matucana 100

   Inaugurated in 2002, Matucana 100 is an excellent exhibition venue for a variety of arts.

   Tue 12:00–18:00, Wed 12:00–20:30, Thu-Sat 12:00–22:00, Sun 12:00–21:30

7. SeeCentral

   Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art

   Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino

   The well put-together Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art houses various artefacts from Mesoamerica and South America, featuring cultures such as the Olmec, Maya, and Inca civilizations. Descriptions of the artefacts and the ancients' way of life are well-written in both English and Spanish. Highlights include a Mayan stone stele and Andean mummies, which precede their Egyptian counterparts.

   Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00·10000 pesos; 5000 pesos for ISIC holders

8. SeeCentral

   Correo Central

   Museo Postal y Telegráfico

   The central post building has a museum of old stamps, letters and mailboxes and even a small replica of the first central post office.

9. DoCentral

   La Moneda Cultural Center

   Museum located underneath the Presidential Palace, the Cultural Center has rotating art and cultural exhibitions all year. Local crafts and souvenirs are available at middle-high prices in the local gift shop. A café is also within the facilities. Note that most exhibitions are not free of charge, however, prices are very affordable.

   Open now · closes 7:30 pm·Free until 12:00

10. SeeCentral

    Museo Histórico Nacional de Chile

    The national museum showcases both the history and prehistory of today's Chile. There are several temporary themed exhibitions.

    Free

11. SeeWest and South

    Museo Interactivo Mirador

    Interactive science and art museum, targeting children. The exhibits can be touched and manipulated by visitors. You can go there by metro, though it's about 1 km away from the closest station Bellavista de la Florida on line 5.

12. SeeWest and South

    Museo Nacional Aeronáutico y del Espacio

    This museum is all about historical Chilean aircraft. It's also a venue for aviation-related events.

13. SeeCentral

    Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes

    Built to celebrate Chile's 100 year anniversary, this museum boasts 3000 art works from Chile and the rest of Latin America.

    Tue Sun, 10:00—18:30·Free

14. SeeProvidencia

    Museo de Arte Contemporáneo

    Santiago's modern art museum is part of the university's faculty of art. Next to the façade there's a statue by the Colombian artist Fernando Botero.

15. SeeCentral

    Parque Forestal

    A long park that runs parallel to the Mapocho River, also site of the National Museum of Fine Arts (Museo de Bellas Artes) and Modern Art Museum. Also known as the green lung of downtown, it's a popular place for cultural and recreational events and activities and the border between the historic center and Barrio Lastarria.

16. SeeWest and South

    Parque Quinta Normal

    One of the city's largest and most traditional parks, with many museums located in and around it. These include the National Museum of Natural History of Chile, the Museum of Science and Technology, the Railway Museum of Chile. Its surroundings are also the Artequín Museum, the Museum of Memory and Human Rights, the Matucana 100 Cultural Center, and Library of Santiago.

17. SeeCentral

    San Francisco Church and Museum

    The oldest church in the city. In the plaza, in front of the church, there is a Moaï from Easter Island.

    Museum: Mon-Fri 09:30-13:30 15:00-18:00, Sun 10:00-14:00·Museum: 1000 pesos. No pictures inside

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Santiago (CC BY-SA 4.0).